Euro Road Trip stop one was Plattling! Having visited here in both 2014 and 2016, the latter for the European Championships, it was exciting to head back to such a world class feature.
Having driven through the night, we arrived early Sunday morning and it wasn't long till we'd set up camp and we're on the water.
Throughout the week, water levels varied but often not peaking at more than 1.80m. Therefore we had to time paddling (as we were in carbon boats) with higher water or face the prospect of a staring contest with the rock. However, we soon found a bit of a routine with morning and evening sessions, with afternoon sessions when water permitted (and if not a trip to the swimming pool).
With water being fairly low, I spent a lot of sessions practising McNasty's, but continued to struggle with them at certain levels. Plattling is fairly different to many UK features so was good to try moves in a different style feature. Was good to catch up with Claire O' who was over for the judging seminar.
Before we knew it, the camping ground was getting busier in the days before German Championships. This year, there was a number of internationals also competing, including ourselves, Zofia and Tomaz from Poland, a couple of Austrians and also Slovakians.
On Saturday, the competition began early with Junior competition, a category that is really growing in Germany currently. By mid morning it was the Senior Women's heats. Despite not quite getting the moves together, I managed to make it through to finals in 4th, with less than 100 points between 3rd and 6th!
It was then a long wait to finals with Senior Men's heats and semis, as well as Junior Finals, but I got the chance to scribe which is pretty cool to help improve own scoring.
Then it was time for finals!! Over the last few months and years, I've begun figuring out how I compete best. Despite feeling pretty relaxed, I couldn't quite pull the moves off I wanted and so finished the competition in 5th (only to go and throw an air McNasty straight after we finished!). Awesome event, topped off by a trip to Volksfest evening, and definitely one I'd go back to in the future!
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